A typical cast-iron chair
The 19th century marks a period of transition from the old world to the modern world, as can be seen in the furniture from that time. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, mass-producing pieces of furniture became a possibility, and with that the trend of a number of stylistic "revivals." Does this Spark an idea?
Cast Iron
One trade that received a large boost from the Industrial Revolution was iron-making. In the earlier centuries, this was a slow and difficult process, and iron furniture was expensive and hard to come by. Thanks to technological improvements, which drastically increased the speed and output, iron-makers were finally able to mass-produce pieces of cast-iron furniture. The use of iron as furniture material can be seen in numerous design styles of the later half of the 19th century, perhaps most notably in the chairs and tables in Victorian gardens.
High Backs
A number of chairs from the 19th century were made with high backs that rose well over the head of the person seated. This characteristic is a direct result of the Gothic revival in the world of furniture. Dating back to Medieval times, high backs could be found on chairs of high importance, such as a king's throne or on the seats around the royal tables. This is why, in the 19th century, high-back chairs became popular furnishings for dining rooms, home libraries and other more formal rooms of the house.
Carvings
Ornamentation in many forms was popular throughout the 19th century. This included ornate carvings on wooden furniture. With the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, which allowed the mass-producing of basic parts, more time could be spent on detailing as opposed to construction. Wood carvings were important to the various revival styles of the time, including Rococo, Gothic and Renaissance, which previously were only reserved for those with the money to purchase specially designed and constructed furniture.
Brocade Upholstery
Brocade, a design style used on much of the furniture of the time, involves the use of heavy fabrics, along with raised stitching, to create ornate and intricate designs. This type of upholstery, which could be found in the living rooms of the wealthier citizens, is recognizable as a trait of Victorian furniture. The style was originally part of the Rococo revival of the 19th century, however, which featured ornate, often flowery designs similar to that of the original aristocratic French movement of the early 18th century.
Tags: 19th century, Industrial Revolution, could found, high backs, iron furniture
